A Scream in the Night

[Kell]

REPOST:

As the bell which Commander Allers had ordered was hoisted up just outside the main entrance to the temple of Rhauth, Ardaion opened the door slightly for the children to have a look. “Have a peek” he said with a smile. Curious little faces pressed their foreheads against the door to look up at the magnificent copper bell. Ardaion made sure each and every one of them had a look and then he closed the door again. Motioning them to go and sit on the benches he told them of the little game he had planned next. “We’re going to play a game this afternoon. It’s a game of hide and seek, and it’ll start like this.”

“First, I go outside. And the moment you hear a bell chime, I want you to go outside and find a good hiding spot. I will come then and look for you and when I find you, you have to come help me find the others that aren’t caught yet. You can go hide in the entire dock area, just make sure that I can’t find you, alright? The winner gets something special for dessert tonight.”

The priest paused and looked over the children a moment. He smiled satisfied, noticing that they were quite eager to run around outside for a change to play their games and the mention of special dessert made it all the better too.

“Now I won’t be using that big bell, because it still needs to be polished up properly before it’s being used. For now, I’m going to use a small bell but you’ll hear it just the same. And when it rings.., don’t hesitate, just go, alright?”

A little boy lifted up his hand. “Father ‘daion, what if the bad man catches us?” Ardaions’ face clouded over some as he thought about of how to answer that. “Well.., just don’t let him catch you. I will catch you. And when it’s time to come out again, I’ll shout. Don’t come out before the game is over.”

The elf looked over the children and threw a glance towards Father Thorpe. Then he went outside, stood atop of the stairs and chimed his little bell. Very soon after, a loud hollering of the children sounded as they sped past him down the stairs. He smirked at their enthusiasm and watched as they spread out over the docks. Fifteen minutes, and then he’d go watch for them. Tomorrow, they were going to play this game again and he’d give them just ten minutes and they would have to be really quiet. The day after, they’d have five minutes and would need to go in utter silence. The best way to teach children new tricks was through games after all.

If the predictions were true, they would have learned enough just in time, to make sure the Mistress would find an empty temple.

[Iduna]

Quinn steps into the Temple of Rhauth, after rushing down from Thralls Gate, then looks around for Ardaion. He's asked her to help determine if any of the orphans have any magical talents the Mistress would want to use. Over the last few months, the Mistress has been systematically attacking every temple in the region, stealing texts and one attempt at kidnapping Sophie from the Temple of Nuarari. Ardaion has taken precautions, but the children are a different matter. They don't know the real purpose behind the new game he's teaching them, which is to keep them absolutely safe. However, even this game of Hide and Seek won't be enough if any child has magical talent; especially if the child's magic has manifested. It could act as a beacon for the Mistress's minions to follow. Quinn already asked Sir Phelan for Ordo assistance on this matter, and he agreed to do what he could. The look on his face, as she asked, makes her believe he is stretched just as thin as she is. She knows he will follow through, but whatever she can do to ease his workload, she will do. Setting her pack beside a bookshelf, she leaves the temple to search for her lover, this beautiful Priest of Rhauth.